The senior quarterback helped make the Kent State Golden Flashes relevant in November, December and even January. He won a Mid-American Conference East Division title and came close to taking snaps in the Orange Bowl of all places.

Keith played an integral role in the Flashes’ best season in 40 years in 2012. Winning 11 games and competing for championships didn’t seem possible four years earlier when he arrived from Arkansas.

“It’s a huge deal,” Keith said. “It’s truly starting to sink in, thinking how special that team was, how everything came together at the right time and the way we meshed toward the end of the season.

“So many things went our way. I couldn’t be happier about it.”

Keith’s memorable season helped him earn a spot in the inaugural Ohio vs. Michigan Senior Bowl on April 20 at Fawcett Stadium. The game will feature senior football players from NCAA divisons I, II and III and NAIA levels.

“It’s an honor to get invited to play in the Senior Bowl,” Keith said. “After our last bowl game on Jan. 6, I didn’t think I would play another college football game.

“I don’t know any of the players on the team yet. Our first practice is Sunday, so I’m real excited to form a little brotherhood before the game.”

Keith is the Flashes’ career passing leader with 8,052 yards. He had a breakout first season when he passed for 2,147 yards and 14 touchdowns, a pair of Kent State freshman records.

Despite Keith’s success, the Flashes finished 5-7 each of his first three seasons.

“We knew we had a good team,” Keith said. “We just hadn’t put all the pieces together.”

Everything came together for Kent State last fall.

Keith threw for 2,021 and 12 touchdowns while teaming up with 1,000-yard rushers Dri Archer and Trayion Durham. Together, they helped the Flashes average just over 33 points and 388 yards a game.

“Having those backs definitely made my job easier,” Keith said. “There’s a different speed between Dri and Trayion.

“The offensive line also did a great job protecting me all year. Having that balance on offense is huge for this type of level.”

The Flashes’ 8-0 MAC record earned them a berth in the MAC Championship game against Northern Illinois. Based on a shakeup in the standings, the Kent State-Northern Illinois winner had a shot to earn a BCS bowl berth.

The Huskies overcame a fourth quarter Kent State rally and beat the Flashes 44-37 in two overtimes to reach the Orange Bowl. Kent State’s memorable season ended with a 17-13 loss to Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.

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“Just to think how close we were to being even better,” Keith said. “Seven points from the Orange Bowl.”